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John Leonard was named the first star with two goals in Sunday’s 6-2 win over Rockford in Grand Rapids.
John Leonard was named the first star with two goals in Sunday’s 6-2 win over Rockford in Grand Rapids.
Winger John Leonard is off to a fast start with the record-setting Grand Rapids Griffins.
Signed to a one-year contract in the offseason by the Detroit Red Wings, Leonard leads the AHL with nine goals, including two goals in Sunday’s 6-2 win over the Rockford IceHogs.
“I think it starts with the coaching staff and the team that management’s assembled so far,” Leonard said. “I think we’re a very deep team. We’ve got really good goaltending.
“Special teams have been really good. We’re a pretty tight group to be under 10 games in, so I think that kind of translates really well and we’ve got a pretty tight-knit group.”
“I’ve been playing a ton with Wombo (Amadeus Lombardi) and Shiner (Dominik Shine) and they’re two really fun guys to play with. Wombo’s obviously a really good passer and Shiner can kind of do a mix of everything, so it’s been a lot of fun so far.”
The Griffins extended their unbeaten streak to eight games, the best start in the league since 2021-2022.
Grand Rapids has a week off and will return to action against the Toronto Marlies at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Nov. 12 at 11 a.m.
Spartans remain No. 1 in country
Michigan State hockey is ranked No. 1 for the third straight week in the USCHO.com national poll.
The Spartans were off last weekend, but remained the top team in the country heading into this weekend’s games against Gavin McKenna and No. 3-ranked Penn State.
McKenna, the projected No. 1 selection for the 2026 NHL draft, has three goals, 10 assists and 13 points in 10 games with the Nittany Lions.
The Lions are one of four Big Ten teams ranked in the top 10 of this week’s poll.
Right behind them is Michigan at No. 2 and Wisconsin is ranked No. 10. Ohio State is also ranked this week from the Big Ten, coming in at No. 19.
Western Michigan, the defending national champions, are No. 4 in the country.
Monday’s NHL
(At) Toronto 4, Pittsburgh 3: William Nylander had two goals and an assist in the third period, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs rally for a wild 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night.
Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist for Toronto, which trailed 3-0 going into the third. Bobby McMann snapped a tie with 6:17 left, and Anthony Stolarz stopped 34 shots.
Ben Kindel had two goals for Pittsburgh, and Erik Karlsson also scored. Tristan Jarry made 16 saves.
(At) St. Louis 3, Edmonton 2: Dalibor Dvorsky scored his first NHL goal to start a St. Louis rally, and Pius Suter provided the game-winner with 1:23 to play as the Blues snapped a seven-game losing streak by beating the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 on Monday night.
Robert Thomas had a goal and an assist for St. Louis in its first win since a 3-1 victory over Dallas on Oct. 18. Jordan Binnington stopped 24 shots.
Jack Roslovic and Andrew Mangiapane scored for Edmonton, which got two assists apiece from Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Calvin Pickard made 19 saves.
Vancouver 5, (at) Nashville 4 (OT): Brock Boeser scored twice, including the winner 4:58 into overtime, to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a 5-4 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday night.
Evander Kane scored twice, and Jake DeBrusk also scored. Thatcher Demko made 25 saves for Vancouver, winners of two of three.
Filip Forsberg and Michael Bunting each had a goal and an assist for Nashville, and Erik Haula and Nick Blankenburg also scored. Juuse Saros made 30 saves for the Predators, losers of four of five. Luke Evangelista had a pair of assists.
Local schedules
Tuesday games
â–¶ Red Wings at Vegas, 10
Friday games
â–¶ Rangers at Red Wings, 7
â–¶ Wisconsin at Michigan, 7
â–¶ Penn State at Michigan State, 7
Saturday games
â–¶ Wisconsin at Michigan, 8
â–¶ Penn State at Michigan State, 4
Sunday games
â–¶ Blackhawks at Red Wings, 1
â–¶ Grand Rapids at Chicago, 4
Wednesday, Nov. 12
â–¶ Toronto at Grand Rapids, 11 a.m.
Thursday, Nov. 13
â–¶ Duck at Red Wings, 7
Friday, Nov. 14
â–¶ Toronto at Grand Rapids, 7
â–¶ Michigan at Penn State, 7
â–¶ Michigan State at Notre Dame, 7
Saturday, Nov. 15
â–¶ Sabres at Red Wings, 7
â–¶ Michigan at Penn State, 6
â–¶ Michigan State at Notre Dame, 6
Sunday, Nov. 16
â–¶ Red Wings at Rangers, 7
Tuesday, Nov. 18
â–¶ Kraken at Red Wings, 7
Wednesday, Nov. 19
â–¶ Grand Rapids at Rockford, 8
Thursday, Nov. 20
â–¶ Islanders at Red Wings, 7
Friday, Nov. 21
â–¶ Charlotte at Grand Rapids, 7
â–¶ Ohio State at Michigan, 7
â–¶ Wisconsin at Michigan State, 8:30
Saturday, Nov. 22
â–¶ Blue Jackets at Red Wings, 1
â–¶ Charlotte at Grand Rapids, 7
â–¶ Ohio State at Michigan, 7
â–¶ Wisconsin at Michigan State, TBA
Monday, Nov. 24
â–¶ Red Wings at Devils, 7
Tuesday, Nov. 25
â–¶ Grand Rapids at Texas, 8
Wednesday, Nov. 26
â–¶ Predators at Red Wings, 7
â–¶ Grand Rapids at Texas, 8
â–¶ Colgate at Michigan State, TBA
Friday, Nov. 28
â–¶ Lightning at Red Wings, noon
â–¶ Iowa at Grand Rapids, 7
â–¶ Michigan at Harvard, 7
â–¶ Colgate at Michigan State, TBA
Saturday, Nov. 29
â–¶ Red Wings at Boston, 7
â–¶ Michigan at Harvard, 7
Sunday, Nov. 30
â–¶ Iowa at Grand Rapids, 4
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